Shot receptacle



June 22, 1965 D. R. JONES ETAL 3,190,220

SHOT RECEPTAGLE Original Filed July 5, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l v INVENTOR. DELBERT R. JONES AND JOFFRE DUPONT BYQXTA ATTORNEY June 22, 1965 D. R. JONES ETAL SHOT RECEPTACLE Original Filed July 5, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR DELBERT R. JONES AND JOFFRE DUPONT BY Q 5*? ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,190,220 SHUT RECEPTACLE Delbert R. Jones, Godfrey, and .Iofire Du Pont, Granite 'City, llL, assignors to Alcan Qornpany, Incorporated, Alton, illl., a corporation of Illinois Continuation of application Ser. No. 293,000, July 5, 1963. This application Dec. 28, 1964, Ser. No. 425,663 6 Claims. (Cl. 102-42) This application is a continuation of our copending application Serial No. 293,000, filed July '5, 1963, now abandoned.

This invention relates, in general, to shotgun cartridges and, more particularly, to a shot receptacle therefor.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a receptacle for the shot charge in shotgun cartridges which protects such charge, minimizing shot deformation normally caused by scrubbing of the shot against the gun barrel.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a receptacle of the character stated which serves to cushion and hold the shot charge in a cohesive manner so as to conduce to relatively dense shot patterns.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a shot receptacle which is adapted for formation from fiat or sheet stock and designed for receptacle-formation upon insertion within the casing of a shotgun cartridge whereby such receptacle may be economically produced in substantial volume and would require minimal space for storage.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a shot receptacle of the character stated which may be adapted for use with various shot sizes; which is primarily for utilization by individuals who load their own shells; and which may be reliably inserted within a shell casing in proper operative relationship therein upon operation of the customary ram for seating wads.

Other objects and details of the invention will be ap parent from the following description, when read in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein- FIGURE 1 is a side view of a shotgun cartridge, a portion of the body wall being broken away, incorporating a shot receptacle constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the receptacle prior to operative formation.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the receptacle as shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary side view of a shotgun cartridge, with a portion of the body wall broken away, for illustrating successive stages in the presentation of the shot receptacle into operative position.

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 4 but illustrating the shot receptacle in fully inserted condition.

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of another form of the receptacle constructed in accordance with and embodying the presentinvention.

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of a further form of the receptacle constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 8 is a top planview of a still further form of the receptacle constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

Referring now by reference characters to the drawing, which illustrates practical embodiments of the present invention, A designates a shotgun shell, or cartridge, having a base 1 and the usual tubular body or casing 2 fabricated as of paper, metal or the like. A primer assembly (not shown) is disposed within base 1 and there above within body 2 is presented a propellant charge 3. In immediately overlying and confining relationship to propellant charge 3, there is provided an obturating wad 3,190,220 Patented June 22, 1965 lCC 4; there being the usual filler wads, such as, 5 and 6 disposed above said obturating wad 4. It is obvious that obturating wad 4 may be replaced by any suitable wad column, since the particular wads utilized in cartridge A do not form a part of the present invention and those shown are set forth merely for purposes of illustration. Superimposed upon filler wads 5, 6 is the shot charge 7, preferably of multi-missile character which is confined within a shot receptacle 8, to be described more fully hereinbelow. The upper end of shell A may be closed in any customary manner, such as, by a top wad or by infolding, etc.

Shot receptacle 8 is formed from sheet or strip material which is flexible, yet having relative toughness or durability. Thus, said receptacle 8 may be formed of any strong substance, preferably plastic, such as, polyethylene. Said receptacle 8 may be readily produced in a most economic, high volume manner, as by die-cutting from sheet stock. As will be developed hereinafter, receptacles constructed in accordance with the present invention may i incorporate various types of central or side-connection portions, as will be evident from FIGURES 2, 6, 7 and 8. Thus, description'of shot receptacle 3 will disclose attributes common to all modifications of this invention; Said shot receptacle 8 incorporates a central circular portion 9 having a diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of easing 2 of shell A; said central portion 9 being integral with a pair of identical quadrilateral side sections 10, 10. Central portion 9 is connected or joined to side sections 10, 10, through relatively narrow neck sections it, 11', respectively, the midpoints of which are diametrally aligned and are located upon the transverse axis of said side sections 10, 10. T .e longitudinal axis of each of said side sections 10, 10' is greater than the diameter of said central portion 9 and the distance between the edge of said necks ll, 11' and the adjacent transverse or end margin of the related section 10, 10' is greater than one-half the distance between such neck edge and the corresponding edge of the other neck, such distance being indicated as at x for purposes of clarification. With reference to FIGURE 3, it will be seen that the midpoints of necks 11, 11' also coincide with the inner side margins of sections 10, 10 which, thus, form a chord of an arc of minimal extent since the length of necks 11, 11' is only such as to assure of adequate integrity of the receptacle 8. 1

In usage, after filler wads 5, 6 have been disposed within casing 2, the operator, such as an individual, will place receptacle 8 across the open upper end of shell A with the central portion 9 across the mouth of said shell and with sections I0, 10 extending laterally. By applying a force upon central portion 9, as by means, for instance, of a wad ram, the said receptacle 8 will be driven inwardly with central portion 9 moving downwardly toward the upper face of the upper filler wad and such movement will cause side sections l0, it) to be carried along and, through the inherent flexibility of the same, such will become transversely arcuated or curved in conforming to the inner wall of casing 2; while causing a bend or fold to take place through necks 11, 11' which inherently constitute fold lines.

Due to the relationship of the length of sections 10, 10' to the diameter of central portion 9, the said side sections 1%, 10' will mutually overlap along their now vertical, but erstwhile transverse margins so as to form a cup or receptacle which will be maintained in such formation by easing 2.

It is apparent that the diameter of central portion 9 is dictated by the inside diameter of the casing to be supplied and that the transverse extents of said sections it), 10 is determined by the height of the cup to be formed which will be, in great measure, dependent upon the particular size of shot to be accommodated.

Referring now to FIGURE 6, another form of shot receptacle 18 is illustrated which incorporates a central quadrilateral portion U which is integral with side sections ltd, 1t). Central portion H is of square character having four equal sides the length of which is such that the distance between obliquely related corners is less than the inside diameter of casing 2 of shell A. It will be seen that the said central portion 19 is adjoined to the side sections 10, by short necks 21, 21' which are continuous with obliquely related corners of the central portion 19, so that the latter would be accorded a diamond appearance as viewed in FIGURE 6. Receptacle 18 is positionable within casing 2 in the same way as that of receptacle 3 hereinabove described, and with the four-sided central portion 19 being inherently designed for reliable centering.

FIGURE 7 illustrates another form of receptacle indicated 28 which incorporates a pair of quadrilateral side sections 10, it) which are interconnected upon their confronting margins by an X-shaped central portion 29. Said central portion 29 comprises a pair of V-shaped sections 30, 3% each of which is unitary with the adjacent side sections it), It) at the outer ends of the respective arms and with the apex of each V-shaped section 30, 30 being integral in the midpoint of the central portion. Thus, in receptacle 28, it will be seen that the inner side edges of the side sections 10, 10', which when receptacle 28 is in operative position will constitute the lower edges of the same, are fixed at their end portions and thereby form a most stable construction.

FIGURE 8 illustrates another form of the present invention, being a shot receptacle indicated 33 and comprising a pair of quadrilateral side sections 10, 10 which are interconnected by a relatively narrow central strip 39, the longitudinal axis of Which is normal to the longitudinal axis of side sections ltl, ltl. At its ends, strip 39 is reduced to form neck portions 41, 41' for connection to side sections it 10' and to thus present reduced areas for facilitating bending thereabout of the side sections 10, 10 as the same are forced into operative position upon insertion in casing 2. It i recognized, of course, that central strip 35 is of an extent slightly less than the inside diameter of casing 2.

Thus, as may be seen from the foregoing shot receptacles may be most economically manufactured in large volume and may, pending usage, be stored in minimum space, as well as conducing to facile transportability. The same are very easily and reliably disposed in operative position, which is a feature of the unique design of the present invention so that the same can be utilized by individuals doing their own loading, with full assurance that positioning will, at all times, be accurate.

It will be further noted that the present invention does not necessitate the utilization of any extraneous or extrinsic securing means, but the same will fully protect the shot charge, preventing same from scrubbing action against the gun barrel. Therefore, deformed shot which is erratic in fli ht, is substantially eliminated and with the shot charge thus being maintained to provide a relatively increased dense shot pattern.

It'should be understood that changes and modifications in the formation, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the shot receptacle may be made and substituted for these herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of our invention.

Vie claim:

1. In combination a shot receptacle and a shotgun cartridge, said receptacle formed from flexible, durable sheet stock, comprising a central portion and a pair of generally rectangular side sections integrally formed with and connected to, said central portion, the transverse extent of said central portion being less than the inside diameter of the shotgun cartridge, said side sections being bendable about their connection to said central portion, so as to be presented in axial normal relationship to the plane of said central portion when the receptacle is disposed within the shotgun cartridge, the side of each of said side sections immediately adjacent the said central portion extending in its opposite end portions beyond the zone of connection to said central portion being at least equal to one-half the peripheral extent of said inside diameter of said cartridge whereby adjacent edges of said sections will be continguous in operative position.

2. In combination a shot receptacle and a shotgun cartridge, said receptacle formed from a fiat blank cut from flexible, durable thin sheet stock comprising a central portion and a pair of generally rectangular side sections integrally formed with said central portion, the transverse extent of said central portion being less than the inside diameter of the shotgun cartridge receiving said receptacle, there being a narrow neck forming the jointure between said central portion and each of said side sections and constituting a fold line when said receptacle is disposed Within the cartridge, wherein said side sections are axially normal to the plane of said central portion, the said side sections each projecting from directly opposite regions of said center portion, the length of the side of each side section connected to said narrow neck being at least equal to one-half the peripheral extent of said inside diameter of said cartridge so that the adjacent edges of said side sections when in operative position will be contiguous.

3. In combination a shot receptacle and a shotgun cartridge, said receptacle as defined in claim 1 and further characterizedby said central portion being of X- shape.

4. In combination a shot receptacle and a shotgun cartridge, said receptacle as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said central portion being of narrow, elongated strip-like form, the longitudinal axis of which is normal to the longitudinal axis of the side sections.

5. In combination a shot receptacle and a shotgun cartridge, said receptacle as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by the central portion being four sided.

6. In combination a shot receptacle and a shotgun cartridge, said receptacle as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said central portion being of circular form.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 553,062 1/96 Follett l02-42 814,511 3/ 06 Bennett l0242 2,002,03 6 5/35 McGavock l0242 BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner.

SAMUEL FEINBERG, Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION A SHOT RECEPTACLE AND A SHOTGUN CARTRIDGE, SAID RECEPTACLE FORMED FROM FLEXIBLE, DURABLE SHEET STOCK, COMPRISING A CENTRAL PORTION AND A PAIR OF GENERALLY RECTANGULAR SIDE SECTIONS INTEGRALLY FORMED WITH AND CONNECTED TO, SAID CENTRAL PORTION, THE TRANSVERSE EXTENT OF SAID CENTRAL PORTION BEING LESS THAN THE INSIDE DIAMETER OF THE SHOTGUN CARTRIDGE, SAID SIDE SECTIONS BEING BENDABLE ABOUT THEIR CONNECTION TO SAID CENTRAL PORTION, SO AS TO BE PRESENTED IN A AXIAL NORMAL RELATIONSHIP TO THE PLANE OF SAID CENTRAL PORTION WHEN THE RECEPTACLE IN DISPOSED WITHI THE SHOTGUN CARTRIDGE, THE SIDE OF EACH OF SAID SIDE SECTIONS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT THE SAID CENTRAL PORTION EXTENDING IN ITS OPPOSITE END PORTIONS BEYOND THE ZONE OF CONNECTION TO SAID CENTRAL PORTION BEING AT LEAST EQUAL TO ONE-HALF THE PERIPHERAL EXTENT OF SAID INSIDE DIAMETER OF SAID CARTRIDGE WHEREBY ADJACENT EDGES OF SAID SECTIONS WILL BE CONTINGUOUS IN OPERATIVE POSITION. 